Dispenser for aerosol systems

1. An aerosol system for dispensing liquid material, comprising:

a container assembly; and

an actuator assembly comprising

an outlet member defining an outlet opening;

a collar member;

an actuator member, where the actuator member

is supported by the container assembly in first and second positions, and

supports the collar member and the outlet member such that movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member causes the collar member to deform the outlet member;

a selector member, where movement of the selector member relative to the collar member causes movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member; wherein

deformation of the outlet member alters a cross-sectional area of the outlet opening;

when the actuator assembly is in the first position, the liquid material is prevented from flowing out of the container; and

when the actuator assembly is in the second position, the liquid material is allowed to flow out of the container assembly through the outlet opening.

2. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which the actuator member is adapted to engage the container assembly such that displacement of the actuator member causes fluid to flow through the outlet opening.

3. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which the actuator assembly further comprises a base member, where the base member is adapted to engage the container assembly and the selector member.

4. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a base member, in which:

the base member defines an alignment structure;

the alignment structure engages the selector member to allow rotation of the selector member relative to the collar member.

5. An aerosol system as recited in claim 4 , in which;

the alignment structure is defined by a groove formed in the base structure; and

the selector member defines a rail; wherein

the groove is sized and dimensioned to receive the rail as the selector member rotates relative to the collar member.

6. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which:

the actuator member defines at least one finger portion that engages the outlet member; and

movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member deforms the at least one finger portion to deform the outlet member.

7. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which:

the actuator member defines a plurality of finger portions, where the plurality of finger portions support the outlet member; and

movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member deforms the finger portions to deform the outlet member.

8. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which:

the selector member defines a selector threaded portion;

the collar member defines a collar threaded portion; and

the selector threaded portion engages the collar threaded portion such that rotation of the selector member displaces the collar member relative to the actuator member.

9. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which:

the selector member comprises a flange portion defining a plurality of ratchet notches;

the collar member defines a lock projection; and

the lock projection engages one of the plurality of ratchet notches to release-ably secure the selector member in a desired angular orientation relative to the collar member.

10. An aerosol system as recited in claim 1 , in which:

the selector member comprises a flange portion defining a plurality of ratchet notches;

the collar member defines a lock projection;

the base portion defines an alignment structure;

the flange portion engages the alignment structure to allow the selector member to rotate relative to the collar member; and

the lock projection engages one of the ratchet notches to release-ably secure the selector member in a desired angular position relative to the collar member.

11. A method of dispensing liquid material, comprising the steps of:

providing a container assembly;

providing an outlet member defining an outlet opening;

providing a collar member;

providing an actuator member;

providing a selector member;

supporting the collar member and the outlet member on the actuator member;

supporting the selector member relative to the collar member such that movement of the selector member relative to the collar member causes movement of the collar member relative to the actuator member;

supporting the actuator member relative to the container assembly;

moving the selector member relative to the collar member to move the collar member relative to the actuator member to cause the collar member to deform the outlet member and thereby alter a cross-sectional area of the outlet opening; and

displacing the actuator member to allow the liquid material to flow out of the container assembly through the outlet opening.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which the step of supporting the actuator member relative to the container assembly comprises the step of engaging the actuator member with the container assembly such that the actuator is movable relative to the container assembly.

13. A method as recited in claim 11 , further comprising the step of arranging a base member to engage the container assembly and the selector member.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:

defining an alignment structure on the base member;

engaging the alignment structure with the selector member such that the selector member may rotate relative to the collar member.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 , in which:

the step of providing the selector member comprises the step of forming a rail on the selector member; and

the step of defining an alignment structure on the base member comprises the step of forming a groove in the base structure such that the groove is sized and dimensioned to receive the rail as the selector member rotates relative to the collar member.

16. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which:

the step of providing the actuator member further comprises the step of forming at least one finger portion, where the at least one finger portion engages the outlet member; and

the step of moving of the collar member relative to the actuator member comprises the step of deforming the at least one finger portion to deform the outlet member.

17. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which:

the step of providing the actuator member comprises the step of forming a plurality of finger portions, where the plurality of finger portions support the outlet member; and

the step of moving of the collar member relative to the actuator member comprises the step of deforming the finger portions to deform the outlet member.

18. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which:

the step of providing the selector member comprises the step of forming a selector threaded portion;

the step of providing the collar member comprises the step of forming a collar threaded portion; and

engaging the selector threaded portion with the collar threaded portion such that rotation of the selector member displaces the collar member relative to the actuator member.

19. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which:

the step of providing the selector member comprises the step of forming a flange portion defining a plurality of ratchet notches;

the step of providing the collar member comprises the step of forming a lock projection; further comprising the step of

engaging the lock projection with one of the plurality of ratchet notches to release-ably secure the selector member in a desired angular orientation relative to the collar member.

20. A method as recited in claim 11 , in which:

the step of providing the selector member comprises the step of forming a flange portion defining a plurality of ratchet notches;

the step of providing the collar member comprises the step of forming a lock projection; further comprising the steps of

providing base portion defining an alignment structure;

engaging the flange portion with the alignment structure to allow the selector member to rotate relative to the collar member; and

engaging the lock projection with one of the ratchet notches to release-ably secure the selector member in a desired angular position relative to the collar member.